DESPITE the sad resignation of Glantraeth from the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance League this season, there is still plenty for Anglesey and Bangor area football fans to be optimistic about.

Both Holyhead Hotspur, runners-up last term, and Llangefni Town, who finished third, will surely be right up there again challenging for promotion to the Welsh Premier League.

And Llanfairpwll, who have held their own in the Cymru Alliance for a number of years now, and newcomers Bethesda Athletic, are also capable of making an impact.

So how will our teams fare this season?

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR manager Campbell Harrison is quietly confident his side can mount another title challenge to the other championship aspirants this season.

Last season Hotspur ran Bala Town so close in claiming the runners-up spot and they have achieved their highest three placings under Harrison.

While disappointed to lose last season’s top scorer Marc Evans and defender Gerallt Jones, the Harbourmen have more than compensated by bringing in experienced former Wales Under- 21 full-back Mike Foster from Porthmadog as well as prodigal sons Mike Edwards, Mel McGinness and Simon Davies.

Hotspur are sure to be well tuned for this Saturday’s season’s opener at home to Mold (2.30pm).

LLANGEFNI TOWN have two young spearheads at the helm this term – manager Lee Dixon and assistant Ian Hughes, who have taken over from Gus Williams, now assistant boss at Prestatyn Town.

Kevin Lloyd has returned from a spell at Bangor City and ex-Holyhead players Gerallt Jones and Mark Jones are also new faces at Talwrn Road.

Cefni also captured Marc Evans after two goal-packed seasons with Holyhead Hotspur, but the young striker has moved to Porthmadog to try his luck in the Welsh Premier.

Llangefni are a club determined to return to the Welsh Premier League and stirring work going on at the ground, as well as with the team, proves this.

LLANFAIRPWLL manager Darren Moore thinks this will be the toughest season in Cymru Alliance history.

"Whilst we have no doubt this will be our toughest season at this level due to the changes in the Welsh pyramid system with some chasing the top spot to join the Super 12 and others chasing the positions required to stay in the league, we will give it our best shot and then see what develops elsewhere," he commented to the Cymru Alliance official website.

BETHESDA ATHLETIC are newcomers to the league, but Chris O'Neal's side are perfectly capable of making a big impact.

Last season strikers Richard Owen and Gareth Davies notched over 100 goals between them and will be key men once more.

Pesda have had a good pre-season, O'Neal ensuring top class opposition has made his team ultra-sharp in anticipation of their opening day trip to Guilsfield.

"The lads have had a taste of football at all levels and against some very useful competition, which will hopefully have some impact on the way we play in the league campaign," said O'Neal.

"Most impressive in the pre-season has been the lads' determination, fight and heart to keep fighting on till the end even when the chips are down. This certainly showed in the Rossington Main game, being 2-0 down after 20 minutes then leveling the game 4-4 at the final whistle.

"We have made few additions to the squad, two of whom were targets last season for us and hopefully with these additions we can cement our place in the Cymru Alliance.

"A top half finish would certainly be an achievement but I don't like achievements. I make and write history and will do so with Bethesda FC."